Welcome to the 2017-2018 school year! I am so honored to serve the Pikesville Middle School community as Principal. While the summer months provide us with the opportunity to recharge, rejuvenate, and spend time with our family and friends, much has taken place at Pikesville Middle School in preparation for the upcoming academic school year. The following changes are promising to be exciting, focused on student-centered teaching and learning, as well as building team spirit throughout our building. We are excited to announce that this year as part of the Pikesville Middle School community, we will have a TV Studio, Dance Classes and our beloved school will be an AVID school! I look forward to connecting with students, staff, parents and community members as we truly cultivate an even stronger sense of community.

We welcome your partnership in education as we embark on an academic school year that promises to transform the educational experience. As the principal, it is my personal mission to promote a safe, equitable and learner-centered environment that will inspire and propel our school family to places of continual growth and excellence. Continual growth and excellence will apply, in some form, to all Pikesville Middle School stakeholders including students, educators, administrators, support staff, parent-partners and community-based partners.

Additionally, the administrative team had an opportunity to meet with the Board of the new PTA at Pikesville Middle School. The new PTA Board is: Ms. Adrienne Gordon, President; Mrs. Alicia Danyali, Vice-President; Mrs. Chava Elgamil, Treasurer and Ms. Regina Gee, Secretary. We are very excited about the direction of the new PTA. Collaboratively, we worked to develop plans that will increase learning opportunities for all students, build school spirit and provide efficient communication with our parents. As such, we will continue developing positive connections with our students, parents/guardians and surrounding community. Using efficient communication and extending invitations to serve on school committees and the PTA, we will build lasting relationships that enhance the learning environment at Pikesville Middle School. Information and updates will be sent home with students, posted on the school marquee, communicated through the Connect Ed message center and posted on our school website at http://pikesvillems.bcps.org.

It is imperative that a safe school environment that is conducive to learning and teaching is a focus to be monitored, modified as necessary and maintained. This involves students consistently demonstrating behavior that supports learning as well as being appropriately dressed. Please remember that we encourage students to wear clothing that is modest and appropriate to create a comfortable learning environment for all since the middle school is the workplace for students and teachers.

Your child is assigned to an administrator who will work with him/her throughout the year:

As we continue on the continuum of our Lighthouse School Initiative, all students will receive electronic devices. A Student Use Agreement session will be held on the following dates: September 7 from 6:00-7:00 pm
•September 11 from 5:00-6:00 pm
•September 13 from 5:30-6:00 pm; 8:00-8:30 pm
•In order for students to receive their devices, the following parties must attend one of these sessions:
•grade 6 families who have not previously signed the Technology Device Student Use Agreement for Pikesville Middle School and
•all incoming grade 7th and 8th families new to Pikesville Middle School

The vision of Pikesville Middle School is for students to develop excellence in academics, character, and habits of mind by participating in student-centered learning experiences that promote 21st century skills. In order to be successful, students will need to think creatively, critically, and intuitively, solve real world problems, communicate effectively (verbal & written forms), work in teams, use technology to accelerate learning outcomes, and develop healthy, ethical life-style habits. Therefore, the Python Pride motto is one that students must observe daily. The Python Pride motto states that students are Prepared, Respectful, Inclusive, Diverse, and Engaged! I encourage you to remind your child daily that embracing the Python Pride motto will ensure they are a successful student at Pikesville Middle School.

On behalf of the faculty and staff at Pikesville Middle School, we look forward to an exciting and productive academic school year! We hope to see you at Back to School Night on Wednesday, September 13th.